SYDNEY Swans Academy have taken out more senior opposition twice in as many weeks after dispatching the AFL Sydney U22s by 19 points at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday. The Swans were challenged but led at every break despite less accurate goalkicking to move to a 2-0 record.

Bolstered by the return of National Academy member Lachlan Carmichael and key over-age prospects, the Swans were able to control play through midfield and hold firm in defence. After knocking off AFL Canberra U22 in Round 1, they will go on to face the Giants Academy in Blacktown on March 15.

AFL SYDNEY U22 1.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 5.1 (31)
SWANS ACADEMY U18 1.2 | 3.4 | 5.6 | 7.8 (50)

GOALS:
Swans Academy: L. Titmuss, T. Ryan, N. Hardman, J. Harrison, K. McNamara, J. O’Loughlin, L. Chambers
AFL Sydney: H. Pickett 2, S. McKeeken, W. Gibbs, T. Longmire

>> ROUND 1: Swans make winning start to Summer Series

SCOUTING NOTES

#8 Nicholas Andreacchio
Midfielder/Defender | 178cm | 03/10/2006

One of a few handy over-age inclusions for the Swans, Andreacchio was utilised mainly through midfield where he looked to inject speed to the play. The 2024 Allies representative often drove his legs and favoured kicking long, gaining quick metres for his side. Andreacchio’s decision making and execution sometimes lacked, but there were positive signs of his contributions as a running accumulator.

#9 Joe Harrison
Midfielder | 182cm | 20/07/2006

Another of the Swans’ important over-agers, Harrison was his usual self in midfield. He had little trouble getting his hands on the ball and was quite clever at the contest, able to navigate tight spots and get the ball moving forward. He was sometimes caught too easily but made adjustments to keep his arms free when absorbing contact. Harrison was also prolific on the spread and his booming kick was observed with a wheeling goal from the 50-metre arc during term three.

#10 Lachlan Carmichael
Defender | 183cm | 27/08/2007

After missing last week’s game, Carmichael took little time to get straight back into his work across the backline, racking up possessions for fun. He was there to mop up seemingly everything, occupying an aggressively high line and reading the play to intercept. He looked assured with ball in hand and it was clear the Swans wanted to feed him as much as possible as he would make the right decisions.

#14 Kaiden McNamara
Midfielder | 186cm | 26/04/2007

Having shown promising signs there late in game one, McNamara attended the opening centre bounce and spent plenty of time in midfield. He brought a hard edge to the contest and proved a relatively natural ball winner in that sense, winning his share of clearances. The usual defender even produced a nice spin out of the stoppage in term two and his clean hands allowed for straightforward first possession wins, though McNamara’s exit kicks could do with a bit more polish. His work rate showed in term three when he charged forward to mark in the hole and kick a set shot goal.

>> Preseason Q&A: Kaiden McNamara

#30 Noah Chamberlain
Wing/Forward | 192cm | 21/03/2007

Chamberlain was made to showcase his versatility by starting up on the wing before shifting forward in the final quarter. He missed a few targets by foot in windy conditions but identified the right targets and when it all came off, he looked a class above in that aspect. One such instance saw him hit a darting inboard pass across centre half-forward. Despite getting his hands on the ball a reasonable amount, Chamberlain arguably looked more dangerous as a forward and applied his usual effort. His day was cut short after copping a nasty head knock late in the piece and being helped off the ground.

>> AFL Draft: Race to #1 – Noah Chamberlain

#33 Max King
Midfielder/Forward | 191cm | 09/01/2007

King’s freakish talent was on show in powerful bursts, building on game one with a more well-rounded performance. The dynamic midfielder showcased his aerial prowess with some spectacular flies which he made look simple, including a pack mark from the side deep inside 50. Unfortunately, he scuffed the 15m set shot into the man on the mark. King’s marking presence around the ground allowed him to impact away from the stoppages, though he was in the thick of it the action and looked dangerous when able to burst away after collecting off the deck. One to keep an eye on.

>> AFL Draft: Race to #1 – Max King

#34 Tom Ryan
Key Forward | 193cm | 24/04/2006

Ryan looked on track for a huge game and impressed during the first half with his contested marking. He attacked the aerial ball confidently and showed decent mobility when searching further afield or recovering the ground ball, but was most dangerous with his strong hands close to goal. The over-ager very nearly kicked a booming set shot goal after the quarter time siren, but instead got on the board early in term two. One of his best moments was an unselfish and measured pass to send Ned Hardman into an open goal later in the same quarter.

OTHERS:

The Jenkin twins – Guy and Will – operated off opposite wings, with the latter racking up plenty of uncontested possessions to run out the game strongly. James O’Loughlin showed some zip and creativity in the front half, while the recognisable Cody Beavis found his groove rebounding from defence. Lucien Sennitt was another handy repellent down back.

SUMMER SERIES FIXTURES

ROUND 1:

AFL Canberra U22 3.7 (25) def. by Swans U18 Academy 9.9 (63)
Giants Academy U18 2.10 (22) def. by AFL Sydney U22 12.11 (83)

ROUND 2:

AFL Canberra U22 9.9 (63) def. Giants Academy U18 9.6 (60)
AFL Sydney U22 5.1 (31) def. by Swans Academy U18 7.8 (50)

ROUND 3:

Giants Academy U18 vs. Swans Academy U18
Saturday March 15, 4:00pm @ Blacktown ISP